The State Register is the definitive source for all procurement RFPs issued by the DNR.
The DNR’s Grants page is the definitive source for all grant RFPs issued by the DNR.
Open funding opportunities
Grant Opportunity | Application Deadline | Grant Awards | Funds Available | Eligible Applicants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Letters of Intent due Friday, April 4, 2025, by 4:30 p.m. Invitations to submit a full application will be sent in July 2025 (estimated) | Applicants can apply for no less than $20,000 per project No match required | Up to $20 million | Local units of government (e.g., city, township, county); soil and water conservation, watershed and lake improvement districts; area-wide agencies, including a county and/or regional planning agencies; nonprofit organizations; public school district and nonprofit schools; institutes of higher education (public and nonprofit); port authorities; Tribal governments; federal agencies; state agencies (excludes direct funding to the DNR and MPCA; however, agencies may participate as collaborators) Individuals and for-profit organizations may not apply. | |
Applications for this funding round are due Monday, Aug. 11 by 4:30 p.m | Award amounts vary 50% match | $9 million | Local units of government including cities, counties, townships, watershed districts, watershed management organizations, lake improvement districts, joint powers organization, and soil and water conservation districts. Grants are not available to individuals or businesses. | |
Conservation Partners Legacy Grant Program: Traditional, Metro and New Applicant | Apply by 4:00 p.m. Sept. 16, 2025 | Funds projects from $5,000 to $500,000 with a maximum total project cost of $1 million 10% match of non-state origin required | Traditional cycle: $3.5 million Metro cycle: $3 million New applicant cycle: $2.62 million | Nonprofit organizations and government entities are eligible to apply |
Submit a complete application packet by 11:59 pm on December 1, 2025 | Awards typically range from $500-$5,000. 50/50 cost-share grant. Match must be non-federal funding. | $476,172 | Local fire departments serving rural communities or rural areas with populations under 10,000 Departments must have wildland fire protection responsibilities and be legally organized entities. | |
Applications due by October 28, 2025 | Maximum grant request $500,000 No match required | $7 million | Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations with 501(c) status, educational institutions, and local units of government within Minnesota, including cities, counties, regional authorities, joint powers boards, towns, and Tribal governments. Parks and recreation boards in cities of the first class are also eligible to apply. | |
Applications are due by October 13, 2025 | Maximum grant request $500,000 No match required | $4 million | All cities, counties, and townships, as well as park and recreation boards in cities of the first class, are eligible to apply. | |
Conservation Partners Legacy Program: Expedited Conservation Projects | Open continuously through May 11, 2026, or until all funds are awarded Apply by 4:00 p.m. September 8, 2025 for first round funding consideration | Funds projects up to $75,000 with a total project cost cap of $575,000 10% match of non-state origin required | $2 million | Nonprofit organizations and government entities are eligible to apply |